Sabah, Sarawak ministers in new Cabinet determined to steer country to greater heights

KUALA LUMPUR: Several newly appointed ministers from Sabah and Sarawak have pledged to give their best to help move the country forward, saying the people are placing high hopes on the new Cabinet which was unveiled today.

In thanking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for his trust in them, these ministers said they regarded the responsibilities entrusted them as a challenge and mandate to serve the people and the country.

Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said his appointment was a heavy responsibility that came at a time when the country was still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fadillah, in a statement, said the focus now is to ensure political stability, fight the COVID-19 pandemic and revive the country's economy for the sake of the people's livelihoods.

Fadillah, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip and Petra Jaya Member of Parliament (MP), thanked the prime minister for appointing three ministers and four deputy ministers from the party in his new Cabinet.

In the "results-oriented Cabinet" announced by Ismail Sabri, six elected representatives from Sabah and Sarawak were made ministers and 10 were appointed deputy ministers, with most of them retaining the portfolios they held in the previous administration.

Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee regarded his reappointment as Agriculture and Food Industries Minister as a big responsibility to help ensure food security for the country.

Ronald, the Beluran MP, said he needed the support and cooperation of all departments and agencies under the ministry in order to fulfil the mandate given him.

"I will shoulder this responsibility and do my best to ensure food security for the country, continuity in the food supply chain and agrofood industry, as well as protect the welfare of the farming community for the sake of #Keluarga Malaysia," he said in a statement.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who is Batang Sadong MP, is determined to do her best to help the tourism and culture sector overcome the challenges facing the industry.

"As stated by the prime minister, the ministers appointed need to give a good performance within the first 100 days. To the MOTAC (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) team, let's get together to move forward and make it happen," she said in a statement on Facebook.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili said matters pertaining to Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will be fully supported, addressed and delivered, consistent with the people's expectation of the new Cabinet.

The Kota Marudu MP said he was looking forward to working closely with Ismail Sabri and both Sabah and Sarawak Chief Ministers Datuk Hajiji Noor and Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg respectively, to deliver what has already been planned as well as new action plans.

Ongkili said his minister role was both crucial and strategic, especially on the MA63 issues, which have become household discussion matters, as Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak have called for resolutions of the various non-compliances to the MA63.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said he would use his 17 months' experience in helming the ministry under the previous administration to focus his efforts on restoring the people's economy, the retail sector and domestic trade.

"This is a big trust and responsibility for me to continue with all initiatives and efforts to safeguard the interests of consumers and domestic businesses in the country," the Kapit MP said in a statement.

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is hoping that as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law), he would have an opportunity to bring about reforms in Parliament and legal structure in the government.

He said the reforms he intended were meant to make the nation's parliamentary institution and the legal structure more current and relevant to suit the present political landscape.

"I will also make it a priority to ensure that the rights of the people in Sabah and Sarawak will be looked after, as per stated under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement," he said in a statement.

-- BERNAMA